STEM Support for Coastal Girls: Advocacy Workshop Held in Khulna
An advocacy workshop titled “Integrated Initiatives to Expand Opportunities for Coastal Girls in STEM Education” was held in Khulna on Saturday, January 10, aiming to increase the inclusion of adolescent girls from coastal regions in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and information and communication technology (ICT) education.
Teachers, guardians and students from four secondary schools in Khulna participated in the workshop. Representatives from NGOs working on the empowerment of coastal girls, local influencers and policymakers were also present, bringing the total number of participants to 75.
In the keynote presentation, Rezual Islam, Project Coordinator of the STEM and ICT Skills for the Girls of Coastal Areas project, highlighted the project’s activities and achievements across three coastal upazilas. He emphasized that sustaining the positive changes observed among girls in ICT learning requires active participation from educational institutions, families, local government bodies, NGOs and the private sector.
Group discussions and panel sessions followed, where teachers, guardians, local government representatives and NGO leaders shared insights on existing challenges and potential solutions for enhancing girls’ participation in STEM education. Sanjib Sarkar, Head Teacher of Naihati Secondary School, noted that despite strong interest among girls, a lack of technological equipment, trained teachers and consistent support remains a major barrier. A guardian echoed similar concerns, stating that while parents want their daughters to advance in technology education, limited opportunities and guidance often create uncertainty in decision-making.
Ninth-grade student Nishat Tasnim Jui shared her experience, saying, “I want to teach younger students what I learned hands-on through this project. But I need deeper learning, and I don’t yet know how to pursue that after secondary school.”
In the concluding discussion session, Upazila Secondary Education Officer S. A. Anwar-ul-Quddus, Upazila Social Services Officer Md. Rakibul Islam Tarafdar, Upazila Women Affairs Officer Farhana Yasmin, KUET Professor Dr. Helal An-Nahian, and Malala Fund Education Champion Network member and Bangladesh Open Source Network President Munir Hasan reflected on the recommendations raised during the workshop.
S. A. Anwar-ul-Quddus remarked that although girls often outperform boys academically, they tend to fall behind in professional fields, stressing that empowerment requires investment of time, effort and knowledge—not just funding. Md. Rakibul Islam Tarafdar expressed both surprise and pride at learning that girls from the region are participating in national science and technology competitions, calling for collective action to sustain and expand such initiatives.
In his closing remarks, the Executive Director of Bangladesh Freedom Foundation (BFF) said that collective commitment is essential to prepare coastal girls with technology skills suited for the job market. Professor Dr. Helal An-Nahian emphasized that skill-based development is now more important than rote academic results, adding that true success will be achieved when girls from remote coastal areas gain access to institutions like Khulna University of Engineering & Technology (KUET). Munir Hasan noted that STEM education fosters not only technical skills but also problem-solving ability, confidence and leadership, underscoring that no girl should be left behind because of her geographic location.
Organizers concluded by stating that ensuring girls’ inclusion in STEM and ICT education in coastal regions requires strong coordination among policymakers and stakeholders, and that implementing the workshop’s recommendations demands responsible action from all concerned.
Launched in mid-2023, the STEM and ICT Skills for the Girls of Coastal Areas project is being implemented by the Bangladesh Open Source Network (BdOSN) with support from Bangladesh Freedom Foundation (BFF) and sponsorship from the Malala Fund, working to build interest and skills in science and technology among secondary school girls in coastal areas.
DBTech/SA/EK/OR
